Whiz Kid: Steven Gordon and His Grammys Adventure

Music superstars including Eminem, Barbra Streisand and Lady Gaga are taking center stage at the 53rd Grammy Awards on Sunday night. But as far as the community of Santa Monica is concerned, its vote has already been cast for another performer who is also participating in the extravaganza: Steven Gordon.

As many locals know, the student was chosen to be the featured pianist for the Grammy High School Jazz Band—part of the Grammy Jazz Ensemble that also includes a jazz combo and choir, and encompasses 30 teens in total.

Being part of the ensemble is "making me play at a high level and encouraging me to pursue music," Gordon told Santa Monica Patch on Saturday. "Everyone comes from different places, so everyone's bringing something new to the table. It's nice to be able to work with musicians who are so passionate about the music and working hard to improve as musicians."

While Gordon isn't playing at the awards show itself, he is attending the event and, more importantly, performing at the Grammys after-party at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The high-profile opportunity may help Gordon increase the inordinate amount of praise he's already received on the local level.

"He's ridiculous," said Tom Whaley, coordinator for Samohi's Visual & Performing Arts department. "You can't tell me he's not a super-pro when he plays."

Gordon has also won the praise from the head of the school.

"He's been [this] phenomenal since the ninth grade," Principal Dr. Hugo Pedroza said.

Eyes often fixate upon Gordon at Samohi music performances, and he was recently picked as a semifinalist for the Spotlight Awards, a prestigious arts competition through which students receive scholarships to continue their studies in the arts.

In recent days, Gordon performed at other Grammy-related events, including the Friday night MusiCares ceremony, which honored Streisand and featured Stevie Wonder. At the ceremony—which also took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center—Gordon met jazz icon Tony Bennett, who spoke with the ensemble.

"He was very warm and encouraged us to continue playing," Gordon said. "While playing, I was very excited to see Diana Krall and [her husband] Elvis Costello out in the audience."

Gordon recently graced a Grammy-themed segment on CBS's "The Talk," performing the TV show's theme song on air. He and the ensemble also played at an event called "Grammy in the Schools Live!," which featured singer/songwriter/pianist Sara Bareilles as a special guest.

Adding to their impressive to-do list, the ensemble recorded a session in the historic studio at Capitol Records' headquarters in Hollywood.

"That was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Gordon said.

The ensemble also performed several songs at another event that featured Esperanza Spalding, who is up for the Best New Artist award at this year's Grammys.

"She has such an amazing energy and way about her, that it made everyone in the band eager to play the music at its highest level," Gordon said.

Finally, Gordon played with a combo as part of a pre-Grammys party on Saturday night. When he looked into the audience, he recognized a few famous faces.

He saw "Julie Andrews sitting in the front row next to [members of] The Ramones," he said. "It was amazing to perform for people who had truly made their own mark in the music industry."

The Grammy jazz band is being led by Justin DiCioccio, assistant dean at the Manhattan School of Music. He is "teaching me so much about how to lead a group," Gordon said. "I'd love to work with him in the future."

Indeed, Samohi's prominent pianist has a bright future ahead of him. However, it is not yet clearly defined. Gordon said he hasn't established where he'll pursue his higher education.

"I'm not decided," he said. "It's between some conservatories on the East Coast and some schools on the West Coast.

"At this point, I'm just excited to be playing music, and improving as a musician and performer all the time," continued Gordon, who appears to be as humble as he is musically talented. "I'm exciting to keep [playing music]—whatever the future may hold."

As for the Grammys experience, "All my expectations have been met, if not surpassed" he said. "I will always remember my time in this group. I'm very thankful to my parents for encouraging my music, and to the Santa Monica community for providing me with many opportunities to pursue my passion."

Want to recommend a young person who has made extraordinary accomplishments in the Santa Monica community, for feature in "Whiz Kid"? Drop a line to Kurt.Orzeck@patch.com.